Kinship Care

Kinship care is care provided to children and youth under the age of 18, by relatives or other individuals known to the family, when the parents are absent or unable to so.

Kinship care allows children and youth to maintain their sense of identity by preventing the loss of their family’s culture, traditions, values and norms. Kinship care most often enables a child to stay in their school and community. All of these factors are instrumental in the development and well-being of a child.

Becoming a kinship caregiver often happens without any notice and therefore leaves little time to prepare emotionally, physically, and financially for the needs of a child.  JCDJFS- Children Services Division, can assist kinship caregivers by providing them with information about financial programs and supports available to them.

If you are a relative or nonrelative kinship care provider with or without legal custody, please do not hesitate to contact us at: 740-282-0961 Ext 1225 or call 740-424-3307 to speak with the Kinship Care Coordinator, Susan Young.